GLDM are able to offer professional support to clients seeking to either re-furbish existing facilities or consider installing a new facility for indoor sport provision.

From a playing perspective, the sports floor surface is probably the most important item of equipment in any sport facility. All National Sport Governing Bodies (NGB’s) have published guidance describing the performance standards to be achieved from the relevant surface for play. These standards define levels across a range of measurements or indicators and are utilised by NGB’s when considering applications from clubs, schools and other organisations seeking support to develop facilities at all levels.

It is important to identify or prioritise the sports profile for the facility. As is common in many instances the need to provide a multi-sport floor makes the selection of the playing surface more complex than is the case if a sport specific floor is required. There is a critical need to consider the range of sports, levels of play, extent of use and the objectives and programming of the proposed refurbishment.

As well as sports provision, non-sport use may also need to be considered within the school which may include dances, concerts, assemblies, examinations, exhibitions and community activities etc. 

A specialist sports floor is the critical element in providing a safe place in which to play sport, and whilst halls may also be used for some non-sports purposes, the primary requirement of safety should not be compromised.

The floor surface is a major visual element in the sports facility and will have a significant impact upon the internal environment. The colour, reflectance and other characteristics of the surface material need to be carefully considered in order to create and attractive environment for users.

No one sports surface will suit all indoor sports – a careful compromise is required between safety, performance and operational factors.

A range of materials can provide good multi-sports floors including various timbers such as beech, maple or oak, either solid or veneer, and various composition and synthetic materials. The key requirements for a sports floor can be summarised as follows:-

• The sports floor should conform to the appropriate performance standards for the priority range of sports to be accommodated.
• The structural loading must accommodate any special requirements such as temporary seating or roller skating.
• The positions of fixed and portable sports equipment and their floor sockets should be integrated into the floor system.
• The colour should be considered in order to create an integrated and attractive design / appearance with the wall colours treatment and lighting scheme.
• Mats should be provided for any sports that cannot be accommodated on the chosen sports floor.